Ariel is possibly based on the character of the same name in "The Tempest," a play written by William Shakespeare. In the play, Ariel was a spirit bound by the magician Prospero who causes the titular tempest that shipwrecks the King of Naples and his crew at the order of his master and later on, foils the other characters' plans to bring down his master and inadvertently help his master free himself in the island. Although Ariel is widely known as a male character, many women play this character for a variety of reasons. Nowadays, the character is portrayed by male and female actors equally. His name may came from the angel Ariel though it could be play on the word "aerial" which can be attributed to his capability to control the winds.